<B> HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. </B> The American and National Conference teams have battled it out through evening rainstorms since early May, and it all came down to two teams, June 29 during the double-elimination Hunter Army Airfield softball tournament held at Squires Sports Complex. Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, U.S. Army Special Operations Command won over the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion, 18th Airborne Corps team with a final score of 7-6.
Family Members came out to support the two teams during the historical game. It was the first time in Hunter sports history that there was a 10-team double elimination tournament, which started June 22. This year's softball program consisted of 420 joint service members who made up 21 teams, with 20 players per team.
Kyle Kress, 3/160th SOAR said he enjoys playing intramural sports because of the time he gets to spend with his friends. Kress said the support the team receives from Family Members in attendance at the games helps keep the teams motivated.
"Things in the shop have come a little bit closer," Kress said. "It's all one team, one fight, and we all just come out here to play some ball."
Scores swung back and forth throughout the evening during the seven-inning championship game. At one point, the game was tied in the third inning 3-3. The final score was made by 3/160th. With the score tied 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh, 224 MI was looking for a fast out to take the game into overtime.
To no avail, the 3/160th proved to be a team that came to win; with two outs, they earned a run in the bottom of the last inning for the final winning run.
Matt Williams, 224th MI, said even though they came in second place, the combination of strengths on the team helped them to get to the finals. He said he enjoyed getting out of the office to play softball with the other guys on the team.
"Hopefully, we can hop into the Fort Stewart tournament and get a crack at these guys again," Williams said.
At the game's end, Hunter Army Airfield Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Jose Aguilar, supported by Hunter Army Airfield Command Sgt. Maj. David Sampleton, presented the championship team and the runners-up with trophies.
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